South Africa and Korea completed their Junior World Cup 2021 journey as they played out the 9th place playoff. For the Korean’s it was on opportunity to end the tournament that had far loftier ambitions on a high, while the South Africans had the opportunity to complete their highest ever Junior World Cup finish, something they had at least earned a share of before the game. The South Africans started the game of the better and created several opportunities which they were unable to convert and slowly but surely it allowed Korea to develop a foothold in the game. Despite both teams’ best efforts, the half time score line was a fair 0-0. The game sprung to life in the second half when Trevor de Lora surged into the circle only for a mistimed tackle to award the first penalty corner of the game to the South Africans. Skipper Guy Morgan stepped up and produced the most venomous flick of the tournament that almost tore through the net to give the lead to the African nation. South Africa had the momentum and created a few circle penetrations and shots at goal in the immediate minutes after that without scoring. Korea should have levelled as they broke with two strikers, but the opportunity was wasted. As the third quarter ran down there was time for another big South African chance, but it went astray as Marvin Simons fired wide as he lost his balance. One quarter remained with the score 1-0 to South Africa. The men in green and gold went all out in the final quarter, and they sensed their moment to re-write the history books and it was the inspirational Guy Morgan that doubled the lead with his second of the game and sixth of the tournament from another penalty corner. As the celebrations were continuing across the country the South Africans landed another punch, that ultimately had a knockout feeling to it. Trevor de Lora stealing in and finishing superbly. Zenani Kraai though stuck in a fourth after a free-flowing team movement with a late Posthumus touch left an open goal which Kraai found with tremendous joy. 4-0. It should have probably been more as the South Africans missed a few chances that you would be forgiven for thinking they would score, After the game man of the match Guy Morgan shared his thoughts: “We were a bit frustrated by our slow start, but after half-time we got it right and it’s been awesome. Thank you to the organisers, the officials and everyone involved it’s been a wonderful experience for our whole team, and I am extremely proud of our boys!” After a preparation that was plagued by delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SA U21 Men have produced a tournament and result to be immensely proud of for the country. 

22 November 2021 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has signed a media rights agreement with South Africa’s national public broadcaster SABC for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup South Africa 2021. FIH’s flagship event for Women’s Juniors will take place at the North-West University (NWU) of the academic city of Potchefstroom – situated approx. 120 km west-southwest of Johannesburg – from 5 to 16 December 2021. It will involve 16 teams from all around the world. Through this agreement, the SABC will produce all matches of the event and broadcast them in South Africa, either live or delayed. This is the first time that FIH signs a partnership with SABC. Commenting on the news, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey Junior World Cups are known to be the perfect platforms for future hockey stars to rise! We’re really glad to be partnering with such a recognised broadcaster as SABC, who will help us convey the performance of these hugely talented young female players to all hockey fans in South Africa, and also to the rest of the world, thanks to the production of the international feed. We look forward to an amazing event in South Africa!” Head of Sport for the SABC, Gary Rathbone, indicated that this is an exciting opportunity for the public service broadcaster to showcase international hockey in South Africa. “Hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in SA schools and the SABC is delighted to bring all South Africans who love the game, a chance to see the international stars of the future of Women’s hockey, in action on home soil. Being broadcasted on the SABC platforms means that everyone will be able to access great sporting action that will surely inspire the next generation of SA hockey talent.” For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.   #RisingStars  

7 September 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Testing Agency (ITA) welcomes the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as its newest partner in the fight for clean sport. The ITA will manage the entire anti-doping program of the Olympic team sport, the FIH will retain results management. The FIH has decided to have its entire anti-doping programme run independently by the ITA. A four-year contract between the two organisations marks the start of cooperation. In a transitional phase until the end of 2020, the ITA will initially manage FIH’s out-of-competition testing activities, and from the beginning of 2021 the full anti-doping program. This includes in- and out-of-competition testing, athlete blood passport administration, therapeutic use exemption management, risk assessment, test distribution planning, whereabouts and compliance management. The FIH will maintain the results management within its structures. Based on the shared conviction of the two organisations that knowledge and prevention are crucial factors in deterring athletes from using prohibited substances – deliberately or inadvertently – an emphasis will be put by the ITA on rolling out a strong education program for the FIH. “The ITA is excited to welcome another team sport to the ranks of its partners”, says Benjamin Cohen, Director-General of the ITA. “Hockey is a true global sport with both strong female and male teams, and a sport with a long Olympic tradition. The delegation of its global anti-doping program shows the federation’s commitment to fair play and means that the FIH will profit from the ITA’s knowledge and expertise. We will tailor our anti-doping program to the specificities of hockey, but the FIH will also be able to access solutions and intelligence from the other sports the ITA partners with.” FIH CEO Thierry Weil: “We are very pleased to announce this partnership with the ITA, which is part of our continuing efforts to maintain a world class anti-doping programme for hockey around the world. Using this independent agency of anti-doping experts will ensure we continue to be at the forefront of efforts to educate our athletes and maintain the integrity of our competitions.” Source: FIH